Week 11 Games that will Impact Virginia Tech's Post-season Destination

Playoff chances eliminated, focus turns to bowl destination

Last week’s loss at Syracuse ended any remaining hope Virginia Tech had of qualifying for the playoff.

Now, the focus shifts to the team’s bowl destination, assuming Tech wins one of its remaining three games.

There are three “good” bowls with ACC tie-ins, any of which should satisfy Tech fans:

• Friday, December 27, 2024
  Holiday Bowl (San Diego, California) – 8:00 p.m. ET

• Thursday, January 2, 2025
  Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, Florida) – 7:30 p.m. ET

• Friday, January 3, 2025
  Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Charlotte, North Carolina) – 7:30 p.m. ET

The ACC has 17 teams plus Notre Dame (for bowl considerations). The first CFP rankings, released on Tuesday, have Miami and Notre Dame in the playoff and SMU as the first team out.

That means, to nab one of the three best bowls, the Hokies would do well to finish 4th or better in the final conference standings.

Currently, the Hokies sit in 7th place, but are only one game back in the loss column of third place Clemson, their opponent this week.

Above the Hokies in the standings are Pitt and Syracuse, and just below them are the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Last Week’s Rooting Interest Record: 0-3 (8-22 on the season)

Record of Predictions in Rooting Interest Games: 2-1 (24-6)

Last week:

• Pitt got its comeuppance; SMU has a clear path to the ACC Championship game (Rooting L, Prediction W)

• Duke teased us for nearly three quarters, but eventually Miami slammed the door shut on any hopes of an upset. (Rooting L, Prediction W)

• Louisville handled Clemson with surprising ease, producing a result that now aligns very much with Virginia Tech’s interests. (Rooting L, Prediction L)

Now then. on to this week’s games!

Game 1: Syracuse at Boston College

Boston College is a two-point home favorite, which seems strange given the records and trajectories of the two teams. Still, Syracuse has played only one good half of football in its last two games. It was completely dominated in the other three (one against Virginia Tech and two at Pittsburgh). BC is only 1-3 in the ACC, and at 4-4 overall, the Eagles are fighting for bowl eligibility.

Rooting Interest: Boston College

Game 2: Virginia at #18 Pitt

Pitt is coming off a major letdown at SMU. The Panthers would need to win out and get help in order to play for the conference title. UVA started the season surprisingly well, but has crashed back to earth in recent weeks. This could be a hangover game for Pitt. A road victory would leave the Wahoos needing just one win in their final three games to secure bowl eligibility for the first time in Tony Elliott’s three years in Charlottesville.

Rooting Interest: Virginia

Game 3: #6 Miami at Georgia Tech

Haynes King and Jamal Haynes were both named captains for this week’s game against Miami, suggesting they might both be healthy enough to play. That would be a major boost for Georgia Tech, which is looking to end a two-game losing streak. Miami’s defense has been suspect in conference play, and with the game being played in Atlanta, the Hurricanes should be on upset alert. A fourth conference loss would keep Georgia Tech comfortably behind the Hokies in the conference standings.

Rooting Interest: Miami